Ashton Newton, class of 2026 from Medina, Ohio, has been named the 2025 recipient of The Claudia E. and Charles F. Cornett Creative Teaching Merit Scholarship, which annually recognizes a rising junior or senior education major or minor seeking teacher licensure who has a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA and exhibits creative behaviors and philosophies. Newton is pursuing a dual license in education P-5 and intervention specialist and is a member of Wittenberg Baseball. He also assists with Welcome Week as a Tiger Team member, serves as president of the campus spirit team for Get Witt Crew and as vice president of Best Buddies, and works in Wittenberg’s strength and fitness center.

As a high school student, Newton helped out after school with gym class at his local elementary school. He created relationships and aimed to make a small impact in any student’s life, which inspired him to “become a teacher in any possible way.”

The encouragement of his Wittenberg professors has influenced the type of teacher he is developing into. “My professors have consistently pushed me to be more creative and encouraged me to go out of my comfort zone by ensuring that my teaching methods are successful, exciting, and welcoming,” he said. “Additionally, they stress the value of establishing trusting relationships with students and have given me access to possibilities that I otherwise would not have had.”

Newton plans to pursue a master’s degree in physical education after graduating from Wittenberg next year and hopes to work as an elementary teacher and possibly as a baseball coach.

“Being awarded the Cornett Scholarship is truly an honor,” he said. “I’m incredibly grateful to be recognized, and it motivates me to continue striving toward excellence in everything I do. To me, this scholarship represents more than just an achievement but also reflects the values I aim to live by as a future educator and leader.”